Obituary of Alfred O'Donnell

O'DONNELL - Alfred "Big Al," 76, Jackson Avenue, Cresson, died July 17, 2005, at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona. Born Dec. 16, 1928, in Sankertown, son of the late Edwin and Bertha (Singer) O'Donnell. Preceded in death by brother, William. Survived by wife, the former Jean Noel, whom he married May 5, 1951, in Alabama, and sons, Les (Linda Caldwell), Richmond, Va., and Tom (Melita Pearson), Ebensburg. Loving grandfather of Rachel and Brandon. Last member of his immediate family. Army veteran of the Korean War. Worked for the FBI after high school, then worked for A&P Cresson for 32 years and retired in 1984. Following retirement, he worked as a security guard for Mount Aloysius College for several years. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and playing cards at the Loretto Camp. Member and past Post Commander of the Cresson American Legion Post 238; past Commander of the DAV Altoona, Chapter 34; and past Commander of DAV District 5; former president of counsel and mayor of Cresson Borough; Charter member of the K of C St. Ann's counsel, Cresson; volunteer at the VA Hospital, VA Home and at the Sister DelGrosso Soup Kitchen, all of Altoona; avid blood donor; and member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cresson, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Rev. Angelo Patti, celebrant. Entombment, St. Francis Xavier Mausoleum. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville, where a vigil service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. Military rites in charge of Cresson American Legion and other local military organizations. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Sisters of Sacred Heart Building Fund or St. Francis Xavier Building Fund, in Big Al's memory.